Bedard learns from tryout> Ex-UM star not playing in summer league

Former University of Maine basketball star Andy Bedard said he enjoyed himself and learned a lot at tryouts for the Celtics’ summer league team this weekend at Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass. – but fell short in his quest for a spot on the roster.

“They pretty much had the team decided before I went down. But scouts [from other NBA teams] saw me play, and that kind of gets my name floating around,” Bedard said.

Ten players were selected for the team.

Bedard graduated from Maine in the spring and has been working out in hopes of breaking into the NBA. He said the workouts at the Celtics’ camp helped him realize how tough the competition is.

“They are really, really tough workouts. Everyone at that level is so good, and the margin of error is so small,” he said.

The San Antonio Spurs had contacted Maine coach John Giannini last week about the possibility of Bedard playing for them on a summer league team in Boston. Bedard said the Spurs’ team begins play tomorrow and he hasn’t heard from their organization again.

“I don’t know if that will happen or not,” Bedard said.

Bedard said he hopes the exposure he gained at the tryout will open doors for him with other NBA teams. But if no offers materialize, he has other options.

“If it doesn’t pan out, I’ll sit down with my agent and coach and figure out the best options. Maybe the CBA [Continental Basketball League] or the IBL [International Basketball League]. I’ll have to make a decision in the next three weeks,” he said.